Here are some photos of my daddy… down the memory lane…

Daddy was quite a sportsman during his younger days. (I sure did inherit that part of his genes tho. )

And here are some sweet memorable moments with my mommy dearest…

I’m proud to know that my daddy’s a very fun-loving person. His presence always brightened up a party and he loves to make other people happy. Many told me that I inherited quite a few of his “social-able” traits.

As I was leafing through the many albums, I realized there were not many family portraits taken with my daddy as he was always the one behind the camera. These are the only few (good-clear ones) that I’ve managed to find for this post. There were much lesser family portraits when we were much older.

His passion was in the construction field. And I’m glad when he left, he was already doing what he loves.

Here’s a little something to remember him by this year…

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I remembered spending most of my childhood time with her being in our home. Taking good care of our food & drinks, ensuring we have our naps in the afternoon, and constantly saving up what little money we have so we can buy new clothes during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year & Christmas. I remembered how she taught me how to write, and how she constantly supported my interest in reading.

At one stage in my childhood life, I had head lice problem from school. She’ll spend every afternoon after lunch to comb my hair & look for the eggs. She never gave up until she found a solution to rid all of those pesky lice. From “washing” my hair with diesel oil, to washing my hair EVERYDAY. She finally brought me to the hair salon to have my hair permed, in hope that the perming chemicals will kill them all! I ended up having a disastrous hairstyle at the age of 10 but yeah… the lice were gone for good!

Our everyday life is filled with activities. Be it helping out with house chores, or studying, or playing. She managed our time so well.

And that’s how I hope to do the same for my own child. Hence, my decision to be a SAHM (stay at home mother) rather than pursuing a career in the corporate world. I’m very lucky that I am able to turn my photography hobby into a home-based business. Well… home-based at least for now. At least I still can bring in some bucks to boost the family’s living quality. Most importantly, more savings for our little girl’s future.

I want to be with my little girl while she grows. I saw her first crawl, her first baby steps. And am looking forward to experience her first of everything. Every night before I sleep, I silently thank the Lord for giving me such an opportunity to do so.  And I still have my own mother around & being able to help with caring for my little girl while I build my business.

I know not many mommies out there are as lucky as I am. Ever since I started my photography business, I’ve met so many mommies who have shared with me about their mommy-hood. Each has their own way of handling their life as a mother, a wife & earning a living for the family.

Below is a poll of which I hope my dear mommy readers can contribute & share with us. It is meant to let every mother that visits my blog know that they are NOT alone in their struggles of balancing the many roles in our lives. So feel free to share your experiences in the comment section as well as “vote” below. This is a multiple choice poll.

We are going away for a short family trip this weekend to celebrate both my mum’s birthday as well as darling Francis’ first Father’s Day. I’m taking time off to be with my family, hence, I won’t be able to check my emails until Monday. My editing frenzy will also cease until we return and  I’ll start at a much slower pace as my mum will be returning home to Kuching for a short break. I’ll be on full-time mommy duties until my mum’s back with us. But this doesn’t mean I’m neglecting my clients, ya!

Here’s wishing you a blessed weekend and a very Happy Father’s Day to all daddies in the world!

Two dedicated daddies with their daughters. *heart*

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Layang-Layang Island has played a huge role in my life. (you can read them here) So, this trip meant a lot to me since my last time there in 2008. Hubby & I had our honeymoon there too. I even had it in my WILL that upon my death, I’d like my ashes to be scattered around the atoll. I was so looking forward to bringing my Little Haley to meet my dear friends & ex-colleagues at the resort.

I was ecstatic to find that the wildflowers & weeds were beautifully thriving on the man-made island. So how can mummy resist! Once again, Little Haley became mummy’s little star during this sunset photo session. Hope you love them as much as I love capturing them. Let me know what you think. Haley’s almost 14-month when these were captured.

Beautiful sun & wildflowers! That's the staff quarters I used to live in while working there as a dive instructor/dive-guide.

Our Little Haley!

Beautiful sun-ray peeping thru the trees.

My TWO DARLINGS!

*heart*

She loves playing with daddy!

... and playing with the "lalangs" or wild weeds too!

Hehehe...

My Baby!

She totally ignored us when we called out for her!

She loves daddy’s Rudy sunglasses!

Putting it on for daddy!

On second thought, she wants it for herself!

*dreaming*

This is the only "family" portrait we had on this trip.

And then we head over to the pool for some fun dipping! This is Haley’s first underwater portrait.

Splash!

Here’s a simple slideshow I’ve compiled for your viewing pleasures.

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Apologies for the long silence since my last post. Was taking most of the time resting my eyes in hope to gain my eyesight back to normal again. At the current moment, I’ve gained almost 80% – 90% vision back but it still fluctuates from time to time on an hourly basis. God knows when I’ll be able to see normally again but I’ve been told it can be as early as tomorrow or as late as 6 months time!

Anyway… On the brighter note, Little Haley and I celebrated our birthdays recently on 26th March 2010 at the luxurious island resort called Pangkor Laut Resort. We had such a wonderful time with endless good food, beautiful weather, breath-taking scenery, warm & friendly services and most important of all, intimate company of family & friends. I’ll blog more about the resort & Little Haley’s portrait session in another posts.

Meantime, I’d like to make an official announcement of the result for ALP’s Birthday Contest organized recently. The public has decided and we’ve got a WINNER!

EACH contributor gets a prize!

Congratulations to the winners!

And this is a special article that came in after the deadline for submission of entry from a fan who wrote,

“Hey Asther,

I meant to email my write up when I first read the contest. But procastination took the better of me and until I realised it’s way past 18th. I know I do not qualify for the contest but to encourage you with what you are doing and that I believe some readers meant to write but slip off their mind with their busyness.

This is the write up I’ve done and it’s for your reading pleasure.

The contest is not a flop..:)

Take care.

Regards,

Elina

From Melaka.”

Elina… You’ve made my day! *hugs* Good luck in your “baby project” and I’ll say a special prayer for you tonight.

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"Pregnant & Pretty"

Location: Cheras

When: During Ally’s maternity photo session

Note: One more month to go before her little boy comes!

06.03.2010

Photogenic Little Aisyah

Location: Bukit Gita Bayu Clubhouse

When: During Amin + Shareen’s wedding anniversary photo session

Note: This is their youngest daughter and she’s oh so photogenic just like her beautiful mommy!

07.03.2010

Double Chocolate Fudge Cuppies

Location: Home

When: One fine Sunday morning

Note: Decided to make some chocolate cuppies and they turned out sooo yummy that it’s all gone by the next day!

08.03.2010

Little Joey

Location: Setia Alam

When: During Little Joey’s baby portrait session

Note: Enjoying some bubble fun!

09.03.2010

"Spring!"

Location: Kota Kemuning

When: During a family outing to Kota Kemuning Clubhouse

Note: I’ve been seeing this yellow flowers tree species blossoming EVERYWHERE and they’re oh so pretty!

10.03.2010

"Water Walk!"

Location: Kota Kemuning Clubhouse

When: During a fun dip at the pool

Note: She’s just learning how to walk, even while in the water!

11.03.2010

"Baby Bite!"

Location: Pulau Pinang

When: During Little Ryleigh’s baby portrait session

Note: She loves to bite her rubber toys!

12.03.2010

Found this jewel of a location within a housing area!

Location: Bukit Jelutong

When: During Yen Lin’s family portrait session

Note: We were scouting around her housing area & found this fantastic location with big mature trees, just brilliant!

12.03.2010

"Little Chermaine"

Location: Taman Tun Dr Ismail Park

When: During Little Chermaine’s baby portrait session

Note: She’s turning one and her parents wanted a photo for her birthday invitation card.

13.03.2010

"Raeven"

Location: Home

When: During a pool fun time with Haley’s cousins from the States

Note: Raeven playing with Haley’s rubber toys.

14.03.2010

"Yau Char Kuey"

Location: Subang

When: Dinner time!

Note: We had some delicious bah-kut-teh with this yummy side dish!

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"Spiky!"

Location: Home

When: After her dinner.

Note: My Little Mouse sweats so much these days, especially during meal times. This was taken after I tried to wipe off the sweat from her head and the result was too cute not to be captured by my camera! She showed me her cheeky face while I was photographing her.

14.02.2010

"Look!"

Location: Home

When: During a chill time at home.

Note: Little Mouse loves to play with my laptop and here’s her announcing to us she found a “mouse”! Hahaha…

15.02.2010

"Rings"

Location: Thien Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur

When: During Sharon & Jordan’s registration of marriage (ROM) ceremony.

Note: I unofficially started work today by starting on my editing frenzy again since my mum’s back in KL with us to help with Haley. Edited this ring shot and I think it’s my best ring shot to date! Starting work tomorrow with a newborn photo session!

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She has always been a good listener to my various rantings & what-nots. I’ve shared with her intimately on my dreams and my worries, my crazy ideas and my daily goings. Needless to say, she’s always there, accepting me for who I am and never even once judge me for my foolishness & silliness on certain events in my life.

The best memory I had was during our photography rendezvous around Kuala Lumpur; Putrajaya, The Butterfly Park, etc. I just picked up land-photography (previously I was only into underwater photography) and I always admire Alison’s arty-fartsy work on her paintings and photographs taken from her P&S. She’s been such an inspiration to me! Hahaha… Check out her work here:

Pics @ Deviant Art

Paintings @ Deviant Art

Blog @ Blogspot

She finally got swept off her feet by a Greek guy & moved to Greece few years back. I miss her a lot since she left. Where else can I find a crazy female buddy like her who is always open for crazy ideas & impromptu decisions to go for something on that very second?! Sigh…

This Chinese New Year holiday, Al finally found a chance to return to Malaysia and along with her is Yiannis, her long time sweetheart. They had their marriage solemnized in church, infront of God & her beloved family members on a ridiculously hot & humid evening. Her poor beau was literally melting while waiting for his bride to arrive! Hehehe… But he told us this,

“… if this is what I gotta do, I WILL do it for her!”

and he said it with a big warm smile.

I attended the wedding as a guest and my heart was filled with such warmth & happiness for my best pal. I managed to snap a few during the ceremony, followed by the dinner reception at the church’s common hall. Albeit simple & small, her wedding was planned out with such warmth & love from her family members and the little details made the wedding  just as beautiful as a big wedding would!

Here’s a few I managed to capture that evening.

The beautiful church of St. Francis Xavier.

A Chinese (Lunar) New Year decor in the church.

Beautiful flower arrangement decorating the aisle.

Yiannis trying to act cool although he's literally melting under the tropical heat!

And here comes the bride!

Look how beautiful the church altar!

Being blessed by the priest.

Al putting on the wedding band for hubby.

Mr & Mrs Hadjirallis!

Here's the wedding car. Love those flowers!

Bridal bouquet. *heart*

Beautiful tropical orchids decorating the tables at dinner reception

Cutting the cake

Sparkly sprinklers!

And this one will a part of my Project 365 photo of the day.

The First Dance. Awww...

Here’s wishing you two a blessed & endless love for each other, a life filled with continuous happiness and may you travel this journey hand-in-hand till eternity!

With lots of love, Asther. xoxo

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"Ang-Pow Time"

Location: Kuala Lumpur

When: During Mark & Azwin’s wedding day

Note: This photo reminds me that Chinese New Year is just round the corner and it’s a Chinese tradition for married couples to give out “ang-pows” to children & those young singles. Hmmm… need to sort out budget for this year!

Now talking about budget, here’s another funny comic strip from What The Duck.

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"Little Bicycles"

Location: Phuket

When: During darling’s company trip.

Note: These little cuties are made of wires!

I’m ill AGAIN. This will be the third time I got sick in less than 2 months. What’s up (or rather down) with my immune system? Anyway… was looking for ways to cheer myself up so here are two comic strips from What The Duck which I find funny & can relate to in some ways or another.

"Sick & Sicker"

"One Flu Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Here’s hoping I’ll be better as soon as possible cos I’ve got tonnes of photos to edit and several photo shoots coming soon! Pray for me pleeassseee? I’m desperate! And here’s wishing you a wonderful weekend with your family.

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"Rear View Camera"

Location: Petaling Jaya

When: After a family photo session.

Note: My car savvy, techy hubby installed this camera in my truck so I can gauge better while reversing the vehicle. This also means, I can see anyone or anything (especially little children) when I want to reverse the vehicle, helping me to avoid any unwanted incident.

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